The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos

The Man Who Invented Happiness Science: Marty Seligman

May 1, 2023

Marty Seligman, a leading figure in positive psychology and professor at the University of Pennsylvania, shares insights from his groundbreaking research on happiness and resilience. He discusses the shift from focusing on misery to celebrating flourishing and explains the PERMA model of well-being. Seligman reveals the transformative power of optimism and character strengths and how they can enhance daily happiness. He also shares personal anecdotes, including his journey to becoming a more optimistic and less grouchy person.

41:05

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Episode guests

Marty Seligman

Highlights

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Episode notes

The Five Things Positive Psychology Measures and Builds: PERMA.

02:01

Three Tips for Improving Well-being from Positive Psychology

01:07

Using Your Strengths to Tackle Unpleasant Tasks at Work

01:42

The Power of Optimism: Persistence, Resilience, and Better Relationships

01:42

Intro

2min

The Birth of Positive Psychology

11min

Shifting Perspectives: The Rise of Positive Psychology

4min

Exploring the Foundations of Character Strengths in Positive Psychology

2min

Harnessing Character Strengths for Enhanced Happiness

3min

Harnessing Strengths and Resilience

8min

The Life-Enhancing Power of Optimism

4min

Cultivating Learned Optimism

9min

Cultivating Happiness and Resilience in the Workplace

4min

When Marty Seligman started his long scientific career, psychologists concentrated on studying "misery and suffering" and what made people sad. But Marty wanted to discover what made happy people, well, happy. His research laid the foundations of "positive psychology" and the happiness science you hear week after week in this podcast.

Dr Laurie Santos talks to Professor Seligman about his decades of research; the power of optimism; and how he became less of a "grouch" to improve his own personal happiness.

Marty's latest book, TOMORROWMIND: Thriving At Work – Now and in an Uncertain Future, is OUT NOW.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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